Norwalk P&Z planner Strauch passes away at 52

NORWALK, Conn. – Frank Strauch will be “very, very much missed,” Mayor Harry Rilling said Tuesday.

Strauch, Norwalk Planning and Zoning Site Planner, worked for the City for more than a decade, Rilling said, as he held a moment of silence at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.

Strauch died Tuesday at age 52 after “a courageous battle with cancer,” his Craft Memorial Home obituary states. Rilling described Strauch as a “very community-oriented person who really welcomed people in and did everything he could to help them.”

Strauch was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, attended Bronx High School of Science, and graduated from the City College of New York with a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, the obituary states, continuing:

“Frank spent many years as a Registered Landscape Architect for the New York City Parks Department, and his designs can be found throughout the five boroughs. Frank then moved on to be the Site Planner for the city of Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning Department, where he was employed at the time of his passing.

“In 1996, Frank married Mary Catherine Timoney and they moved from Brooklyn to Port Chester.  Frank was an active volunteer in the Port Chester community, lending his professional expertise by serving on the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Master Planning Committee. Frank was also an Assistant Scoutmaster for Port Chester’s Boy Scout Troop 400. He was passionate about the scouts, was proud to wear the uniform, and enjoyed every minute of this service.

“Frank is survived by his loving family; wife Mary, daughter Madeline, son James, mother Anna, sister Elizabeth Curtin and her husband Paul, and several nieces and nephews.”

Contacted by NancyOnNorwalk on Wednesday, Assistant Corporation Counsel Brian McCann described Strauch as “a delight to work with.”

“He thoroughly enjoyed working with the Zoning Commission and sharing his thoughts and opinions,” McCann said. “In fact, he rarely held back his thoughts and opinions.  He loved what he did, and his entire department loved him.    The 50 (+) year old Boy Scout deserves a merit badge for his dedication to and hard work for the City.  Frank will surely be missed.”

A visitation is being held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Craft Memorial Home, located at 40 Leicester St. in Port Chester, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday at Parish of Saint John Bosco (Our Lady of Mercy), located at 260 Westchester Ave. in Port Chester, with interment to follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:

Port Chester Boy Scouts of America Troop #400

c/o Abe Monis

236 Husted St.

Port Chester, N.Y. 10573